Husband: *reaching into the refrigerator * We should get one of those soda wraparound thingies for the fridge. They probably sell them at Bed Bath and Beyond in the As Seen on TV section.

Me: Well, if we’re talking about As Seen on TV products, I want a Swivel Store first.

Husband: *In loud Oprah-like voice* PUSH PRESENT!!

For those of you who aren’t familiar with the term “push present” it refers to a gift a mother might receive from her partner upon giving birth to their child. According to Wikipedia, the term first appeared in print in 1992. Since that time it has become somewhat of a cultural phenomenon. Some moms have come to expect they will receive a gift upon delivering a baby. It’s a quid pro quo: baubles in exchange for 9 months of carrying baby. Of course, a push present could be any number of things but generally the favored item tends to be jewelry. I’m not certain about this but I’d be willing to bet that my grandmothers didn’t get diamond earrings when they gave birth to their babies. I’m curious when this whole idea really evolved. Did jewelers everywhere unite in the early 90′s? Did they conduct clandestine meetings behind the jewelry counters and develop marketing campaigns targeting new moms? Is it akin to the Sweetest Day holiday (a contrived holiday that I’d never heard of before living in Buffalo and am convinced exists solely to boost greeting card sales)? Also, does the ante go up with the more babies you have? For example, I am expecting our third child. Does that mean my push present should proportionately reflect three deliveries? And what about multiples? Or extra big babies? Or late babies? So many questions!

I’ve never received a push present. In fairness, my husband was only recently made aware of the phenomenon. I didn’t get any precious metal but I did receive support, guidance, love and help changing diapers. Hmm, diamonds or diaper changes? I think I’d still take diaper changes believe it or not. I’m not one to turn away a gift (husband, read that line again) but I also think it’s silly to expect presents in exchange for a baby. I think the gesture is sweet as long as it doesn’t get carried away (like so many gestures seem to do these days).

What about you? Did you give or receive a push present? Were you disappointed if you didn’t get any bling upon the arrival of your child? Should my husband be picking up a Swivel Store right this very moment?!

Contributors

For more than two decades, Kristine Bruneau has made a career from writing and marketing communications, working for ad agencies, nonprofits, and small businesses. Her commentaries, stories, and reviews have appeared in a variety of publications, including Rochester Magazine and Rochester Woman Magazine. She posts regularly to her Mommy Musings blog at kristinebruneau.com where she explores lessons learned from her son on motherhood, love, and life. Kris is currently working on a book inspired by these lessons and their resulting conundrums. She loves comments and feedback, so send her a note at kristinebruneau@me.com.

is an award-winning communications professional with 25 years experience working in journalism and public relations and with social media. She is also a comedian and has learned that weaving humor into all situations makes communication and life more enjoyable for all involved. She is an adjunct college professor and recently started her own company, Dresden Public Relations, to enable her to be a more-present mom for her two young daughters. One is adopted, one has cerebral palsy, both are beautiful and extraordinary, and life at her house is a fabulous adventure.

Claire Goverts is a working mom to a curious toddler girl on the go. A Buffalo to Rochester transplant, Claire enjoys exploring more of the area, which suits toddler fine. The zoo is a current favorite. She enjoys trying new things with daughter, including crafting ‘new’ play items. Such as coffee can turned drum, container, and mirror. She also shares a love of nature and the outdoors with her daughter.

And in her spare time Claire enjoys creative pursuits. Be in drawing, photography, jewelry making, and of course writing. She would like to publish novels one day, and has several National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) wins under her belt.

Tree Marino is a 30-something mother of tween/teen daughters. She works full time, while her husband stays home with the girls. This was not always the case. When the girls were younger she was a stay-at-home mom (who rarely stayed at home). Tree works toward making her family more green without ruffling to many feathers (inside the family and out). You might find her planning a casual event for her daughters' school or running her small business.

is a busy single mom of two busy boys from Brockport - Brice, 7, and Brady Patrick, 4. A graduate of the University of Rochester, she writes freelance articles and The Brockport Blog for The Democrat and Chronicle. She is also a contributing writer to Rochester Woman Magazine and a former reporter for Messenger Post Newspapers. Caurie enjoys being a hockey mom, photography, swimming, and life guarding at the YMCA. Look to her Mom Blog for pieces on parenting a child with special needs and parenting as a single mom. You can reach her at www.caurie.com or caurie@urgrad.rochester.edu

Debra Ross is publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, an online resource for parents who want to know about the cultural, educational, and recreational opportunities for kids in their local area.

She is a weekly guest on two morning radio shows in Rochester, WARM 101.3 and Fickle 93.3 and also appears often on local television. She and her husband, David Ross, a professor at RIT, home school their daughters Madison, 13, and Ella, 11. They live in Brighton.